You attended ACC in the late
seventies. Was there a certain ACC
class (or instructor) that stands out
to you?
Bev Wilcox, Jon Loff, and Dr. Don
Alexander were very influential during
my years at ACC. They played an
important role in my education,
development, and experiences.
In addition to being President of
the Black Student Alliance, you were
VP and President of SGA during
your time at ACC. How did those
experiences shape you? Are there
any memories you’d like to share?
Holding these positions enabled
me to meet and interact with many
of the students, faculty, and staff
at the college. My communication,
negotiation, leadership, and
listening skills, to name a few, were
further developed and improved. Our
annual two-day Bluegrass Festival
was a great time for our students,
our clubs, and our community.
After retiring from CSX (where
you were also chair and president
of The Brotherhood of Railroad
Signalman) after 33 years of
service, you ran for Cumberland’s
City Council. What prompted this
decision? Did your union experience
help prepare you for this role?
I ran for City Council because I
thought I had something to offer,
and I wanted to take an active
part in helping our city to grow
and prosper. Through my positions
at CSX as a foreman and a union
officer, my leadership, planning, and
negotiation skills were enhanced. I
traveled extensively over the years,
meeting and engaging with people
from the business community, and
federal, state, and local governments.
This added tremendously to my
education, skills, and abilities.
Given that you’re running for
a second term, you clearly enjoy
the work of representing your
community. What’s your favorite part
of being a City Council Member?
It gives me the opportunity to help
my fellow citizens. I’ve gained a lot of
13 ACCESS ACM / Reimagining Dreams
knowledge from the many residents in
our area that I’ve met. This position gives
me a say in what our city does, does not
do, and what direction it will take.
What’s the most challenging part
of being a City Council Member?
One of the most challenging things
for me has been not letting myself
get spread too thin. I suffer from the
inability to say “no” when I’m asked for
a favor or to do something. I’ve gotten
better, but it’s still a problem for me.
What advice do you have for ACM
students interested in learning more
about the political process and/or
how to shape policies that impact
their lives?
Get out and get involved. Attend your
city council meetings, your school board
meetings, your county commissioner
meetings, etc. Watch and learn. Ask
questions. Don’t be afraid to speak up
and don’t be afraid to listen.
What advice would you give to
recent ACM grads?
I am going to offer two quotes, the
first is from a movie called Galaxy Quest,
“Never give up, never surrender.” and the
second is one I learned many years ago,
“Nothing beats a failure but a try.” You have
to be willing to work hard, stay focused,
not give up, and not get sidetracked in
order to get where you want to be.
Q&A with Eugene Frazier, ’78
Lauded for being one of the “most accessible
elected officials” by Allegany Magazine,
Eugene Frazier is beloved and respected for
his leadership and community service. A 1970 graduate
of Fort Hill High School and Cumberland resident,
Frazier attended Allegany Community College after high
school for a year. He later returned in 1976 to earn his
associate degree in Business Administration in 1978,
and returned again in 1979-1980 to take additional
classes and serve as president of the Student
Government Association. Over the span of his career,
he worked for some of the largest employers in our
region, including CSX, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company,
Allegany Ballistics Laboratory, and Kelly Springfield. A
father and grandfather, Frazier is a frequent presence
on campus for a variety of community and campus
meetings, including his service on the selection
committee for the Elijah E. Cummings Scholarship. L-R: ACC Student Government Association leaders Eugene
Frazier, Christien Izzeh, B.J. Walter, and Richard Webb.